Journey through time - Micklands Primary School

Mr Lane with one of his many successful football teams.
School meals were cooked on the premises in a kitchen which was beside the
present library. As well as producing school dinners the teachers were treated to
biscuits and cakes which were baked while the ovens were still warm. Where the
kitchen was situated there are now classrooms. The cloakrooms and toilets remain
in the original positions. Little changed at the school in the first 15 years, apart
from a new Headmaster, Mr Queen, who in turn was replaced by Mr Lane in
September 1959. In the following year the first school secretary was appointed,
Mrs Joy House. She shared the office with the Headmaster.
Pupils' memories of the time recall that there was no school uniform initially, later
a uniform was introduced. This consisted of a red blazer, cap and tie with grey
shorts and shirt for the boys and a white blouse, red tie and grey skirt for the
girls. At that time the school badge was a simple ‘M'. Pupils were later given a
choice of badge designs and voted for an ox symbol denoting Oxfordshire. Valerie
Green remembers getting a school tie for Christmas and wondering how Father
Christmas knew which colour to bring! Another of Mrs Green's memories is of
hymn singing during which her friend changed the final line from ‘God be at my
departing' to ‘God be at my tea-party'!
Mr Queen, being a Scot, introduced shinty to the school. His successor, Mr Lane,
was a football enthusiast and led successful school teams. Mr Duncan Walker
remembers being applauded in assembly after a match win. He also remembers
taking part in country dancing which Mrs Lane introduced, the footballers
demonstrating better coordination than the rest of the boys. However, football
practice took priority.